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DFO renews compliance monitoring partnerships
with Indian Bay and Gander River groups
St. John’s … Recreational fishers will again see increased compliance monitoring at Indian Bay and the Gander River in 2005.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is renewing its partnerships with the Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation (IBEC) and the Gander River Management Association (GRMA) to provide compliance monitors for these watershed areas. This is the continuation of a compliance monitoring program launched in 2003.
“These agreements are good examples of shared stewardship,” said Randy Jenkins, Chief of Enforcement Operations with DFO’s Conservation and Protection Sector. “DFO is committed to working with user groups to conserve and protect salmon and trout stocks in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
The compliance monitors recently completed a fishery guardian refresher training program to prepare for the 2005 season. GRMA monitors will expand their duties on the Gander River this year to include winter trout patrols. Compliance monitors have patrolled during summer and winter angling seasons at Indian Bay since 2003.
The five GRMA compliance monitors logged nearly 3,000 hours of patrol time in their first year with the program, and assisted fishery officers in laying a number of charges. Peter Parsons, vice-president of GRMA, is encouraged by this success.
“We as a volunteer group must ensure that our salmon and trout stocks are there for present and future generations,” he said. “It is through partnerships like this that we will make a big difference.”
It’s a similar picture with the IBEC where two compliance monitors had nearly 950 patrol hours in 2004, and conducted more than 300 inspections.
“IBEC is proud to have been the first group to partner with DFO in the compliance monitoring program,” said John Waterman, president of IBEC. “The program's success in Indian Bay in the past two years is proof that stakeholder involvement can make a difference in conserving and protecting our resources.”
Mr. Jenkins said DFO is now consulting with other groups in other areas of the province interested in having compliance monitors, and hopes to expand these types of partnerships in the future.
Under the Joint Project Agreements, the compliance monitors are employed by IBEC and GRMA and have limited fishery guardian enforcement powers that are restricted to their respective watershed areas. The compliance monitors conduct routine patrols and low risk monitoring and surveillance duties. They inspect recreational fishers, their gear and bags, as well as document, report and take initial action when they find suspicious activity. They may also be called upon to assist with patrols or investigations being conducted by fishery guardians and fishery officers who will also continue their work in the areas.
For more information:
Kimberley Penney
Communications Officer
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
(709) 772-7629
Peter Parsons
Vice-president,
Gander River Management Association
(709) 424-5882
John Waterman
President
Indian Bay Ecosystem Corporation
(709) 678-6203
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